Potato-digger



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. M. D. POMEROY & G. H. WEBBER. WPOTATO DIGGEB...

No. 477,266. v Patented June 21, 1892.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. M. D. POMEROY & G. H. WEBBER. POTATO BIGGER.

No. 477,266. Patented June 21, 1892.

SMWW

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. D. POMEROY AND GEORGE I-I. WEBBER, OF LEBANON, INDIANA.

POTATO-DIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,266, dated June 21, 1892.

Application filed January 12, 1892. Serial No. 417,863. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE M. D. POMEROY and GEORGE H. WEBBER, citizens of the 7 United States, residing at Lebanon, in the county of Boone and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Diggers; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention'relates to certain new and usefulimprovements in potato-diggers of that class wherein provision is made for the gatherin g of the potatoes into a suitable receptacle and dumping them therefrom when desired.

The present invention has for its objects, among others, to provide a more complete and efficient machine of this class which shall be capable of doing more work and that more satisfactorily, and in which is provided an improved reel for gathering the potatoes and sifting the dirt therefrom and delivering them clean to the box.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view ofour improved potatodigger with a portion of the seat broken away. Fig. 2 is a substantially central vertical longitudinal section through the same.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in both views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the frame, which may be of any approved form of construction,

and in suitable hearings on which is journaled the axle A.

B are the wheels, of known construction, being two in number, the parts being so located relatively to each other as to be balanced.

B is the pole or tongue, held to the front end of the frame by the irons a and carrying the draft attachments, which may be of any approved form.

13 is the seat, supported on the seat-s11 pports a, as seen in both views.

To the rear of the frame is affixed in any suitable manner an inclined transverse board 0, which forms the forward side of the potato-box, the remaining portion of which consists of the end pieces 0 and the rear side 0', secured together and hinged to the frame, as by strap-hinges c", as seen in Fig. 1, so that the two ends and rear side may be moved on the said hinges when it is desired to dump the potatoes. In order that the operator may do this from his seat, we provide the crankshaft D, journaled in suitable bearings (Z on the forward cross-bar of the frame and provided withfoot-pieces d, as seen best in Fig. 1. The cranks at the ends of this shaft are connected to each end of the movable portion of the box by the rods or links D, as seen in said Fig. 1. It will be readily seen 110w by means of the foot or feet on the said footpieces the movable portion of the box may be caused to turn so as to dump the potatoes. The board 0 at its upper edge is provided with forwardly and upwardly inclined fingers O, as seen in both views.

Journaled in the frame to the rear of the main axle is the transverse shaft E, which carries the reel or sifter, which consists of the skeleton heads 6, connected by the transverse bars e to which are attached the wires E, which are curved between each two bars e and then extended at substantially right angles to the bars, as seen in Fig. 2, to form fingers to gather the potatoes and deliver them to the potatobox, as will be readily understood from Fig. 2. These fingers work between the inclined fingers C on the board C, as seen in Fig. l.

' On the extended end of the shaft E is a gear-wheel E which meshes with a large gear-wheel F on the axle, as seen best in Fig. 1, so that motion is imparted to the reel or sifter from the main axle. A suitable cover G may be provided overthe reel, as shown in Fig. 2.

H is the shovel. It is carried by the curved side bars h, which are journaled on the crossshaft 1, held in bearings on the frame, and the upper ends of these side bars are each connected by the longitudinal rods or bars J to the crank-arms j on the cross-shaft K, journaled in suitable bearings on the frame, and

m, arranged to pass between the fingers on the reel or sifter, as seen in Fig. 1.

The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, and a detailed description thereof is not deemed necessary. Briefly stated, it is as follows: The machine is drawn through the field and the shovel lowered to the proper level. The shoveldigs up the-potatoes, and in the continued movement of the machine the potatoes are carried to the rear over the shovel.

and over the fingers m,wherethedirt is sifted out and the potatoes are taken up by the fingers of the reel or sifter. The dirt is again sifted out and the potatoes are carried up by' the fingers of the reel and delivered into the box, from which they can be dumped when desired by simply pressing on the foot-pieces, .of the for-ward crank-shaft. I The device is simple, not liable to get out of order,and by its use the potatoes are gathered without injury and delivered to the box; free from dirt or other foreign matter.

-What we claim as new is 1. The combination, with the shovel and reel, of a shaft on the rear of the shovel, free to partially revolve in its bearings and carrying fingers, a rock-shaft, and connections between the rock-shaft and the upper ends of the side bars of the shovel, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the frame and the hinged portion of the box, comprising the rear side and two ends, of the forward crank-shaft and connections between the said shaft and movable part of the box, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the frame, of the shovel having side bars journaled on a shaft held in bearings on the frame and extended above the pivot, and means connected with the extended upper ends of the side bars and with a cross rock-shaft for raising and lowering the front end of the shovel, as set forth.

4:. The combination, with the frame and the cross-shaft, of the shovel having curved side bars pivoted on said shaft and extended above the same and curved to the rear, the forward crank-shaft having arms, and the rods pivotally connecting the upper ends of the side bars with the said arms, substantially as specified.

In testimony that we claim the above We have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE M. D. POMEROY. GEO. n. WEBBER.

Witnesses:

CHRISTIAN S. WESNER, ORMEN D. WESNEB. 

